SCHROON LAKE -- Schroon taxpayers are looking at a combined 13.8-percent tax-levy increase from the proposed 2008-09 budget and a building project.

The Schroon Lake Central School budget totals $6.53 million, a 13.7-percent increase from the current budget of $5.75 million.

The tax levy would be $5.09 million, a 13.8-percent increase from the current $4.47 million.

Superintendent Michael Bonnewell said 7.3 percent of the increase is from the $14.7 million building project approved by voters in June 2007. That work, construction of additional classrooms and renovations, is to start in 2009.

"The budget does include a significant spending increase this year, well out of line with our historic trend, because expenses for the building project that voters approved in June 2007 begin to come online.

"Additionally, we have had cuts in our federal grants so that we will need to fund some of the services for special-needs students these grants had funded."

The final building plans will be sent to the State Department of Education in June, with approval expected by winter, bids sought in spring 2009 and work to start after June 2009 when the school year ends.

Without the building project, the tax-levy increase would have been 6.52 percent. The district budgeted only $327,000 more beyond its operational budget, which officials said maintains all programs and allows for increases in the costs for fuel, utilities, salaries and insurance.

Bonnewell said their annual audit recommended adding a position.

"We also added a position to assist with duties, including finance, curriculum and instructional improvement and student management, as the result of an English language-arts program assessment and because of a Business Office functional analysis.

"Our annual audit pointed to the need to separate functions in the Business Office, as governmental accounting standards direct. We currently have only a district treasurer in the Business Office, and I serve as superintendent and K through 12 principal."

The budget includes raises of 5.75 percent for teachers and administrators.

The school day will be lengthened for 2008-09, he said.

"A new student schedule, to assist us to meet the instructional needs of our students, extended the district's instructional day by nearly 4 percent. As a result, teachers are scheduled for a 5.75-percent raise in the coming year. Non-teaching contracts are still under negotiation."

The budget vote is from noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday in the school lobby.